My SSS-Rank Innate skill: Infinite Adaptation core

The strange creatures slaughtered the demonic beasts without hesitation, holding the defensive lines and reducing casualties wherever they went, leaving countless warriors both shocked and confused.

In the middle front of the battlefield, Swordmaster Theodore was slaughtering beasts relentlessly. Every swing of his sword carried immense power, cleaving through demonic beasts as if they were made of paper.

Despite facing thousands of enemies, he showed no signs of being overwhelmed. In fact, his presence alone had become one of the biggest reasons the central defensive line was still standing.

Theodore continued carving a path through the horde while steadily advancing toward the center of the battlefield. In the distance, he could sense three terrifying auras looming over the battlefield like dark mountains.

Even from afar, the pressure they emitted was enough to make his instincts scream in warning. He couldn’t allow such creatures to get close to the warriors fighting on the front lines. If those monsters entered the battlefield directly, the casualties would be catastrophic.

However, Theodore couldn’t simply ignore the beasts around him either. Many high-level monsters were constantly attempting to break through the defensive line.

He had been personally intercepting the strongest among them while allowing beasts below Level 150 to pass through, trusting his elite knights and city guards to handle them. It was the only way he could maintain the balance of the battlefield while keeping his attention on the true threats lurking in the distance.

Suddenly, a knight commander named Markus approached him in a hurry.

”My Lord, something bizarre is happening all over the battlefield!”

”What are you talking about, Markus?” Theodore asked while swinging his sword. A burst of freezing mana erupted from the blade and exploded outward like a spell, instantly freezing and shattering dozens of nearby beasts into countless icy fragments. The brief opening allowed him to focus on his commander’s report.

”Unknown creatures have appeared across the battlefield. Their bodies are completely black, almost like living shadows, with purple markings swirling across them. They resemble the beasts we’re fighting, but they’re clearly different.

What’s strange is that they’re helping us. They’re attacking the demonic beasts, reinforcing weak defensive points, and saving wounded soldiers. Since they appeared, casualties have dropped significantly.”

Theodore frowned.

”Hmm... Why would beasts help humans? If what you’re saying is true, then someone must be controlling them.”

That was the only explanation he could think of. No ordinary beast would suddenly start protecting humans in the middle of a beast tide.

”You are correct, Swordmaster Frost.”

An unfamiliar voice suddenly resounded nearby.

Both Theodore and Markus immediately turned toward the source, their bodies tensing in an instant.

A black-robed figure stood before them without anyone noticing his approach.

Nova.

Hidden beneath his disguise, he calmly met their gazes.

”They are being controlled by someone. They are my legion.”

His voice was steady and emotionless.

At the same time, an overwhelming aura spread from his body. Demonic aura mixed with the carnage aura produced by his class, while traces of his overwhelming killing intent lingered within the pressure. The combination created an unsettling presence that felt both powerful and dangerous. Nearby beasts instinctively changed direction rather than approaching him, their instincts warning them of danger.

Markus felt his entire body stiffen.

For a brief moment, he genuinely believed the masked man could kill him instantly if he wished.

Even Theodore felt a chill run down his spine.

Both of them were technically much higher level than Nova, but thanks to his concealment skill, neither could see through his disguise. To them, the mysterious figure before them was an unknown powerhouse whose strength couldn’t be measured.

Theodore quickly regained his composure.

”Who are you, and why are you helping us?” he asked seriously.

”I’m known as the Slaughter Monarch,” Nova replied. ”My purpose here is to save this city from destruction. That makes me your ally, at least for today. As for my reason...”

He paused briefly.

”I simply cannot stand by and watch innocent people die.”

His gaze swept across the battlefield.

”So I slaughter evil. That is the duty of the Slaughter Monarch.”

Theodore studied him carefully before asking another question.

”What do you want from us, then?”

He could clearly see that the masked man was helping Frostholme. Even so, Theodore wasn’t foolish enough to trust a stranger completely, especially one who concealed both his identity and his true intentions.

Nova pointed toward the battlefield around them.

”I want you to continue doing what you’ve been doing. Focus on these beasts and protect your people. Your duty is to save lives, and you’ll save far more of them by holding the main defensive line than by chasing after those three Rank A beasts.”

His gaze shifted toward the distant monsters.

”I know you can feel their aura.”

A faint confidence entered his voice.

”But leave them to me.”

Theodore’s eyes narrowed slightly.

”Of course, I’m not ordering you to obey me,” Nova continued calmly. ”I’m merely giving you an option that benefits everyone. You want to save your people, and I’m giving you the chance to do exactly that. I’m only here to help, so relax.”

Theodore remained silent for a few moments as he considered the proposal.

The masked man’s confidence was absurd.

Yet somehow, he didn’t sound like he was boasting.

After a brief pause, Theodore finally nodded.

”Alright.”

A faint smile appeared beneath Nova’s mask.

He knew he could rely on Theodore. After all, from everything he had seen since arriving in this world, the Swordmaster was undoubtedly the strongest human currently standing on this battlefield.

==========================

Name : Theodore Frost

Age : 45

Race: Human

Rank : S

Level : 250

Affinity: Ice

Stats:

Strength: 356

Agility: 358

Endurance: 355

Intelligence: 350

============================

With that, Nova’s main objective was essentially complete. He had already dealt with the biggest obstacles that could interfere with his quest. Moonclaw had been sent to secretly protect Rieka, which would indirectly ensure Asia’s safety as well, while several powerful Deadborn had been dispatched to his father’s location to reinforce the area. The battlefield was stabilizing, casualties were decreasing, and the key figures he cared about were now under protection.

That meant he could finally focus on what truly mattered.

His targets.

BOOM!

Lightning exploded around Nova’s body as he vanished from his position. In the blink of an eye, he appeared several hundred meters away, leaving behind nothing but crackling electricity and a distorted trail of air. His speed was so absurd that most warriors on the battlefield couldn’t even perceive his movement.

Nova shot across the battlefield like a bolt of lightning, heading toward the right side of the front lines. While he still intended to warn whoever was commanding that section, that was no longer his primary reason for going there.

His gaze remained locked on a distant figure.

One of the three Rank A beasts had begun moving.

The Hydra.

Among the three monsters, it had broken away from its position and was now advancing toward the left side of the battlefield. Its massive aura stood out like a blazing torch amidst the countless beasts surrounding it, making it impossible for Nova to miss.

A serious look appeared beneath his mask.

If that creature managed to reach the main defensive line, the casualties would be devastating. He didn’t know pwoerufull holy knights were but they would surely struggle to stop a monster of that level.

Which meant there was only one option.

Nova had to intercept it before it reached the frontline.

....

On the right side of the battlefield, the Holy Knights of the Light Temple Order fought alongside twenty to thirty Beastfolk warriors, desperately holding back the advancing beast tide. Swords flashed through the air as the defenders cut down one demonic beast after another.

Many of the Holy Knights wielded weapons infused with light energy, creating brilliant streaks of radiance across the battlefield. Although true Light Element users were exceedingly rare, the temple had equipped its knights with powerful light-attributed artifacts. These artifacts allowed them to channel holy energy through their weapons and armor, giving them a significant advantage against demonic creatures.

Even so, the sheer number of beasts continued to pressure them from all sides. For every monster they killed, several more seemed to take its place.

The battlefield was slowly turning into a war of endurance, and even the Holy Knights were beginning to feel the strain But now, strange black shadow beasts were fighting alongside them. Although their numbers were not large they still provided valuable support, greatly reducing the pressure on the defenders.

At the very front stood Maria Light, also known throughout Frostholme as Sister Maria. However, the woman standing on the battlefield now looked nothing like the gentle nun most people knew.

Her usual white robes had been replaced by a battle-ready set of armor layered over a black leather bodysuit, allowing her to move freely even with her voluptuous body , while maintaining protection. Her blonde hair was tied behind her head, and blood from countless beasts stained parts of her armor and face.

Combined with the cold determination in her eyes, she gave off a completely different aura from her usual calm and caring self. Instead of a kind-hearted sister of the temple, she looked like a seasoned warrior who had stepped onto the battlefield to wage war against the monsters threatening her people.

”Hmm... what is she doing here?” Nova muttered as his eyes widened slightly. He was shocked to see a familiar yet completely unexpected person here.

Thanks for reading....